Supervising Microbiologist (35 Hour)

The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH) is currently recruiting for a Supervising Microbiologist. Within the Laboratory Division of DPH, this Supervising Microbiologist position will be responsible for directing the operation and personnel of the Virology/Serology area in the Laboratory. Testing performed in this area includes HIV, Syphilis, Herpes, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Rabies, arboviruses (West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Zika). The Supervising Microbiologist ensures the section’s operation meets all federal and state regulatory requirements for clinical testing that includes training and competency assessment of testing staff, evaluation of new test procedures, participation in proficiency testing, and review of QC and test results prior to reporting to submitters.

This is a full time, 35 hour per week position. The work schedule is typically Monday through Friday.

This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.  

Due to the volume of applications anticipated, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account. 

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience most closely meet the preferred requirements of the position.  Applicants invited to interview may be required to submit additional documentation, which supports their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. 

Please Note: You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Deb Lyons at Deborah.Lyons@ct.gov or 860 509-7180.

In the Departments of Agriculture and Public Health this class is accountable for supervising a large and/or complex grouping of work in the laboratory.

Schedules, assigns, oversees, and reviews work of staff; provides staff training and assistance; conducts performance evaluations; determines priorities and plans unit work; establishes and maintains unit procedures; develops or makes recommendations on development of policies and standards; acts as liaison with other operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures; maintains quality control and safety programs and ensures all quality assurance requirements are met; ensures use of universal laboratory precautions by staff; ensures compliance with state and federal regulations and guidelines; prepares reports and correspondence; coordinates data processing for unit; conducts complex or specialized as well as routine microbiological, biomedical, molecular and biochemical analysis as necessary to ensure prompt processing of specimens; maintains knowledge of current developments and changes in field of expertise; evaluates new test procedures; reviews and approves final reports; utilizes computers to operate and maintain instrumentation and to access, interpret, modify and report test results; ensures laboratory operations are within budget guidelines; participates in the development of proposals for grant monies; evaluates and certifies state shellfish laboratories for FDA compliance; may testify in court; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of laboratory facilities, methods, applications, examinations, equipment, instrumentation and material; considerable knowledge of current theories, principals and practices of biomedical sciences, microbiological and biochemistry disciplines including aquaculture, bacteriology, parasitology, virology and others as they relate to public health; considerable knowledge of requirements of regulatory and accrediting bodies; considerable knowledge of quality assurance and quality control policies and procedures; knowledge of common statistical techniques and ability to make sophisticated calculations; knowledge of universal laboratory precautions; considerable skill in microbiological, biochemical, and chemical analytical methods; considerable skill in diagnostic techniques; considerable skill in data gathering and data analysis; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; ability to perform advanced biomedical, microbiological and biochemical examinations; ability to interpret test results in the context of patient history and epidemiology of disease or agent; ability to conduct analytical, consultative and research activities; ability to maintain current knowledge in field of expertise; ability to utilize computer software; supervisory ability.

Nine (9) years of experience in a public health or medical laboratory involving scientific work in the field of microbiology,biochemistry or molecular biology.

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the working lead level in the field of microbiology. For state employees this is interpreted at the level of Principal Microbiologist.

1. College training in the natural sciences may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. A Master's degree in the natural sciences may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

• Experience with serological assays such as Enzyme Immunoassay and Immunofluorescent techniques for the detection of HIV, Hepatitis, Syphilis and arboviruses and vaccine preventable diseases. 
• Experience validating and implementing new protocols and writing standard operating procedures.   
• Experience supervising, training and evaluating professional staff.  
• Experience writing grants and reporting elements for grant supported activities.  
• Experience preparing and delivering oral presentations to professionals, peer and lay audiences.  
• Experience with Quality Assurance and Quality Control procedures.  
• Experience with BSL-2 & BSL-3 principles and practices.

1. Incumbents working in this class in the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture Division must be certified under section 19a 36a33(b) of the Connecticut Public Health Code as an Environmental Laboratory Director and under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration National Shellfish Sanitation Program.
2. Incumbents in this class must be willing to periodically undergo tests or immunizations for communicable diseases.
3 Incumbents in this class may be required to have specific education and/or experience to meet various certification and/or licensing requirements.
4. Incumbents may be required to undergo and successfully complete security background checks.

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to communicable diseases and hazardous substances.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.